My Blood Orange Margarita Cocktail is the drink of the winter season, the delicate sweetness of blood orange juice takes this classic cocktail to a whole new level. Not to mention that awesome color ~ it practically glows!
We can’t let citrus season pass without a great cocktail, and this one definitely delivers. I’m usually a wine drinker, but this divine blood orange Margarita has got me reconsidering all that. I had one at a favorite restaurant the other night and after one sip I knew I had to recreate it and share it with you guys.
Why this is the perfect cocktail ~
It’s fruity ~ but not too sweet. I don’t like overly sweet cocktails and so while a lot of Margarita recipes use simple syrup, I don’t add it here. The fresh squeezed blood orange juice is floral, lightly acidic, and provides just the right amount of sweetness.
It’s gorgeous ~ but packs a punch. Yes it happens to be stunningly gorgeous, but it’s a real cocktail: the tequila and triple sec see to that.
It’s seasonal, the best kind of cocktail. Blood oranges aren’t available all year long, and that just makes this taste all the better.
The ‘blood’ in blood oranges refers to the red color in the flesh, and that comes from a pigment called anthocyanin. It’s the same pigment in blueberries, black rice, and even purple pansies!
If you’ve bought blood oranges before you might have been surprised that they don’t always look the same inside. There are multiple varieties, and it isn’t always easy to tell them apart, unless they’re labeled. The flesh can range from orange with a tinge of red, to full on blush colored, to deep dark purple, almost black. The good news is that the flavor is amazing no matter what kind you get your hands on.
Varieties of blood orange ~
- MORO: the most commonly available and most pigmented of all the blood oranges, they can range from deep burgundy to almost black. The juice is incredibly vibrant.
- SANGUINELLO: this variety tends to be extra sweet, and orange colored with red streaks.
- TAROCCO: another extra sweet variety, with speckled orange and red flesh.
Tip: Want to stretch blood orange season so you can enjoy this cocktail all year long? Juice blood oranges when they’re in season, then fill ice cube trays and freeze. When frozen, load the cubes in a sturdy zip lock freezer bag, you’ll never be without this blush nectar. Defrost as needed!
tvfgi recommends: a sturdy cocktail shaker
This classic stainless steel shaker has great reviews on Amazon, and is something every well stocked kitchen needs, even if you don’t make cocktails often. When the occasion calls for it, you can mix up two drinks at a time, and you’ll look professional doing it.
I’m definitely blood orange-obsessed, and I’m pretty sure everyone who has ever tried them feels the same. I have so many great recipes inspired by blood oranges it’s hard to know where to start ~ if you want something sweet, try my Blood Orange Jam or my Blood Orange Crumble Bars. If you’d like to experiment with using these gorgeous citrus fruits in a savory recipe, try out Roast Chicken with Blood Orange and Olives, or this fun Fish with Blood Orange and Thyme in Parchment.
Reader Rave ~
“The best margarita! Great taste and such a gorgeous color. Thanks for the recipe.” ~ Suzanne
Blood Orange Margarita
Ingredients
- 2 ounces fresh squeezed blood orange juice about 2-3 blood oranges
- 2 ounces Triple Sec
- 3 ounces tequila
- 1 and 1/2 ounces fresh squeezed lime juice plus more for rimming glasses
- kosher salt for rimming the glasses
Instructions
- Pour salt onto a small plate. Wet the rim of the glasses with water or lime juice and press the rims into the salt.
- Add the cocktail ingredients to a shaker with ice.
- Shake well and strain into 2 glasses with more ice. Garnish with a twist of blood orange peel or a thin slice of blood orange.
Make this blood orange Margarita cocktail your own ~
- You can substitute other orange liqueurs like Grand Marnier, curaçao, or Cointreau for the triple sec.
- Try tangerine juice if you can’t find blood oranges.
- Make it a mocktail and use sparkling water or club soda.
18 Comments
Suzanne Kroder
February 24, 2019 at 5:28 pmThe best margarita! Great taste and such a gorgeous color. Thanks for the recipe.
Sue
February 24, 2019 at 5:47 pmI’m so glad you enjoyed it Suzanne!
Elly
February 24, 2019 at 7:36 amLoved it. Thank you
Sue
February 24, 2019 at 7:39 amCheers Elly!
Lee Ann
February 23, 2019 at 2:42 pmHi ! I just found your site! This cocktail is right up my husband’s alley, he is definitely going to try it. Thank you! May I ask where you got the glassware? I love it! Looking forward to exploring your site.
Sue
February 23, 2019 at 2:56 pmThose glasses come from Cost Plus/World Market 🙂
2 Sisters Recipes
February 22, 2019 at 4:33 pmWow! What a cocktail !! We love everything about this cocktail. Pinning!! 🙂
Sonia
February 22, 2019 at 9:03 amThis cocktail sounds so delicious ~ perfect for weekend get-togethers. Can’t wait to try it!
Sue
February 22, 2019 at 12:54 pmThis is a good candidate for a pitcher cocktail 🙂
Andrea Metlika
February 22, 2019 at 8:53 amThis Blood Orange Margarita looks so pretty and sounds wonderfully flavorful.
Jacqueline Meldrum
February 22, 2019 at 8:43 amI love blood oranges and always rush out to buy them when they are in season. I tend to eat them straight up but would be more than happy to have a glass or two of this. Sharing now!
Dannii
February 22, 2019 at 8:39 amThe colour of this is amazing and your photos are gorgeous. Cheers to the weekend!
Sue
February 22, 2019 at 12:52 pmAnd I didn’t even realize it’s National Margarita Day today 🙂
Lisa Bynum
February 22, 2019 at 8:02 amThis cocktail is DROP DEAD gorgeous! I am a little obsessed with blood oranges too. It’s the color! Pinning this to try sooner rather than later.
Sue
February 22, 2019 at 8:04 amThe color but also that flavor! Nothing else like it in the food world…
Tricia | Saving Room for Dessert
February 22, 2019 at 4:30 amI LOVE this cocktail! And I really appreciate your tip about juicing and freezing in an ice cube tray. Absolutely brilliant trick for frozen Margaritas. Pinned!
Sue
February 22, 2019 at 7:28 amThis would make an awesome frozen Margarita in summer, I’m going to stash away lots of juice this winter 🙂